AKRON, Ohio — May Chen tends to get groovy in a dance class with a group of Bhutanese seniors.
“They really move,” Chen said. “You know, I guess this is what they’re used to, you know, in their own country.”
What You Need To Know
- National Senior Citizens Day was Aug. 21
- Jin Huo Community Senior Center is opening up in October
- The center caters to immigrants and refugees
Chen is the board president of Jin Huo Community Senior Center, a new place for immigrant and refugee senior citizens to socialize in Akron.
“‘Jin Hou’ in Chinese means ‘golden harmony,’” Chen said. “And we’re bringing groups from different cultures. We want everybody to come here and participate, and learn in harmony.”
Official programming is scheduled to start soon.
“Well, we’re projecting to open Oct. 1. However, we’re getting them all excited by bringing them here on a bi-weekly basis just to get them to be familiar with the environment, the facility,” Chen said.
Chen said the center is opening out of great need.
“The greatest issue facing is social isolation for our elders, even before [COVID-19], because of language and culture. And [COVID-19] just compounds it. And so they are very isolated in the homes,” Chen explained.
She said the isolation can be dangerous for them.
“They left their community. They left their support. They left how to navigate around their environment, and so that really is very challenging for them. And, you know, can lead to many mental and physical illnesses,” Chen said.
To keep them busy, seniors can participate in a variety of activities run by bilingual staff members.
“We are planning to look at some craft activities. We’re also looking at English classes. We’re looking at some health education classes for them. But something that I would like to see very much is to have cultural exchange with mainstream seniors and maybe bringing school-age children to come and learn the cultures of these elderly,” Chen said.
According to the site manager, Ajino Wah, daily meals and transportation are also available.
“They don’t drive. So, we go and pick them up for the morning,” Was said.
Chen added that it’s important to care about seniors.
“Well, for me, I would not be here if it were not for my parents [and] my grandparents,” Chen said. “I am who I am because of them.”
So, she’s happy to provide programming for this population.
“I think for many of the senior citizen[s], especially the immigrant and refugee, elderly, senior citizen[s], they have made tremendous, tremendous sacrifices to leave a life of comfort and safety, for many to come to this new country, so that their children can realize their dreams,” Chen said.
If you’re interested in learning more about the center, a person can reach out to awah@jhcohio.org.
